The sizzling range has been chilly by the primary three weeks of November, however the motion is anticipated to warmth up quickly because the MLB winter matchups strategy. In the meantime, we’re taking a look at every crew to determine its three greatest wants this offseason and which free brokers may fill them.
Our sequence continues with the National League West.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
1. Outfield: The Dodgers already had a spot to fill with Teoscar Hernández hitting free company. Now, with common supervisor Brandon Gomes saying Mookie Betts will probably return to the infield, each outdoors nook spots will should be addressed. Top prospect Dalton Rushing spent a while in left subject within the minors, however they want at the least one or two extra issues within the outfield. Unless they will lure Juan Soto out of New York – they are going to at the least make an effort – the easy reply can be to convey him again with Hernández, who has expressed curiosity in a return.
2. Start of launch: Tyler Glasnow is anticipated to be wholesome within the spring, and Shohei Ohtani is anticipated to return to the mound in some unspecified time in the future, however there’s numerous uncertainty right here. The Dodgers, who’ve been lowered to simply three starters throughout their championship run, perceive how shortly pitching depth can unravel. Two of these pitchers, Walker Buehler and Jack Flaherty, are actually free brokers. Maybe Bobby Miller will recuperate. Maybe Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin come again from harm sturdy. Perhaps prime prospect Jackson Ferris is able to assist. But that is numerous maybes, so count on them so as to add a extra dependable piece externally. They’re thought of the favourite to accumulate Roki Sasaki, but when the NPB phenom indicators elsewhere, it would not be a shock to see them make purchases on the prime finish of the free agent marketplace for Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell or Los Angeles natives. Massimo Fritto.
3. Shortstop: Tommy Edman and Miguel Rojas present some safety right here, however a part of their worth is their versatility. The Dodgers may flip to Betts, who proved at the least able to filling in final season, however at 32, seems to be higher suited to second base. Prospect Alex Freeland broke down the system final 12 months, but when the Dodgers have been searching for a extra quick answer, Willy Adames would offer it. The commerce market (Bo Bichette? Nico Hoerner?) may additionally provide choices.
SAN DIEGO PADRES
1. Start of launch: If there’s one crew that might lure Sasaki away from the Dodgers, Yu Darvish’s Padres are pretty much as good a candidate as any. Considering their potential monetary constraints, that is their greatest wager to land an enormous title except AJ Preller can additional faucet into the prospect ranks to lure Garrett Crochet out of Chicago. With Dylan Cease, Michael King and Yu Darvish main the way in which, a mid-rotation or back-end starter might be the almost certainly situation, and a lefty would make sense for his or her right-handed rotation. Someone like Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Quintana or Andrew Heaney may match the invoice.
2. Left subject: Jurickson Profar exploded as everybody anticipated… 11 years later. The former prospect loved a profession 12 months at 31, and it is smart for him to return to San Diego. If it turned too costly for his or her monetary constraints, they might store on the decrease finish of the free agent market. Michael Conforto, Alex Verdugo or Tommy Pham can be among the many choices.
3. Receiver: The Padres may cross their fingers and hope that Luis Campusano makes the leap that by no means got here in 2024, however the easy reply right here can be to run again Kyle Higashioka, who had his most precious large league season final 12 months in San Diego. Danny Jansen, Yasmani Grandal and Carson Kelly are among the many greatest catchers accessible, however there aren’t many starting-caliber choices available on the market behind the plate.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACK
1. Relief pitch: This may be an excellent time to say that the D-backs offense ranked within the prime two in each lower line class. Pitching has been their downfall, and whereas Arizona may actually use assist in each the rotation and the bullpen, the latter is the extra urgent want. The D-backs relievers had a 4.41 ERA and made 26 saves, and now Paul Sewald is a free agent. If the Devin Williams, Arizona beer retailer ought to name. Otherwise, there are many high-end choices available on the market, together with Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman, Clay Holmes, and Carlos Estévez.
2. First Base: One of the primary duties for the D-backs this winter might be determining what it’ll take to retain Christian Walker, who was presupposed to be an All-Star this 12 months and is perennially among the many most underrated skills within the recreation. With Josh Bell (who responded admirably whereas Walker was absent) additionally in free company, they might flip to Pavin Smith, who completed the 2024 season exceptionally sturdy. But they may desire a extra established pop in the midst of the order, particularly with Joc Pederson hitting the market. If Walker walks, may we see a Paul Goldschmidt reunion? Otherwise, Bell, Carlos Santana or Pete Alonso are among the many names to keep watch over.
3. Start of launch: Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt present a helpful place to begin, and the D-backs may level to the late departures of Jordan Montgomery and Eduardo Rodriguez and imagine {that a} extra regular offseason may get them again on monitor. However, they might use one other arm to ensure issues do not go off the rails like they did in 2024. Someone from the second or third tier of free agent pitching (Matthew Boyd? Jose Quintana? Frankie Montas? Andrew Heaney? Michael Lorenzen?) it would make sense right here.
GIANTS OF SAN FRANCISCO
1. Start of launch: The GIants had Logan Webb and Blake Snell main their rotation, and their starters nonetheless completed the 12 months with a 4.22 ERA. Now they do not have Snell anymore. While they will think about steps ahead from children Kyle Harrison and Hayden Birdsong, they want a steady piece to enrich Webb and Robbie Ray. If they cannot retain Snell or sweep sweepstakes Corbin Burnes or Max Fried, there are nonetheless plenty of choices to fill out the rotation, from the departing Mets (Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Jose Quintana) to Shane Bieber, Jack Flaherty , Walker Buehler, Tomoyuki Sugano and plenty of others.
2. Central infield: Tyler Fitzgerald loved a spectacular breakout as a rookie, however could also be higher suited at second base long-term. Regardless, the Giants may use extra assist in the center. Willy Adames is the star of the free agent shortstop market and would make numerous sense in San Francisco. The Giants have been among the many worst defensive groups at shortstop in 2024, and Ha-Seong Kim may assist there. Considering the decline after Adames, nonetheless, they might additionally look to the commerce marketplace for somebody like Bo Bichette, Nico Hoerner or Brandon Lowe.
3. An imposing bat: Can Buster Posey assist the Giants lastly get that large fish again? It does not appear to be they plan to interrupt the financial institution in 2025, however exceptions might be made for Juan Soto or Adames. Could be a nook outfielder (e.g. Teoscar Hernández, Anthony Santander, Tyler O’Neill). Could be a right-handed first baseman (Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Paul Goldschmidt). It might be a central inside (see above). Regardless of place, one other difference-making bat appears vital for this crew to compete once more.
COLORADO ROCKS
1. Relief pitch: Every different bullpen in MLB had an ERA underneath 5.00 final 12 months. Then there was Colorado at 5.41am. I do not count on them to spend a lot this winter, however they might fill out their bullpen with a pair extra veteran arms on low-cost short-term offers. Even if they do not purchase on the prime finish of the market, a lefty like AJ Minter, Aroldis Chapman or Andrew Chafin may make sense for the right-handed group.
2. Start of launch: Rockies starters had a 5.54 ERA final 12 months, additionally by far the worst mark within the sport. Do I believe they are going to really face rotation this winter? Probably not. It’s exhausting sufficient to entice a scoring arm to sign up Colorado, and if you add within the monetary constraints, they’re in all probability extra more likely to cut back what they have already got than add to it. Maybe Germán Márquez will return wholesome to guide the group. Perhaps prime prospect Chase Dolllander is able to contribute in 2025. But in the event that they need to be aggressive within the brief time period, they could want extra assist.
3. Right subject: For the primary time since 2010, Charlie Blackmon will not be roaming the Rockies outfield. Brenton Doyle and Nolan Jones, if he can recuperate, present a strong place to begin. Right subject is extra of a query. Colorado has some prospects knocking on the door in Zac Veen, Yanquiel Fernandez and 2024 first-round decide Charlie Condon, and it is actually attainable that 2022 first-rounder Jordan Beck makes a leap. However, this might be a spot for a veteran addition like Jason Heyward, Max Kepler, or Adam Duvall, which might permit Kris Bryant extra DH time.
RELATED: NL East | NL Central | AL East | AL Central | AL West
Rowan Kavner is an MLB author for FOX Sports. He beforehand lined the LA Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU graduate, Rowan was born in California, raised in Texas, then returned to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on Twitter at @RowanKavner.
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